Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia in an Underserved Population in the USA: Prevalence, Epidemiologic and Clinical Features. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2013;2013:856256. [PMID: 24235966 PMCID: PMC3819766 DOI: 10.1155/2013/856256]

Prevalence of Gastric Precursor Lesions in Countries With Differential Gastric Cancer Burden: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The prevalence of precursor lesions for gastric cancer (GC) and the differential burden between countries of varying GC risk is not well-understood. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the global prevalence of precursor lesions.

METHODS

We estimated the prevalence of atrophic gastritis (AG), gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM), and dysplasia in regions with low, medium, and high GC incidence. Because IM is an advanced manifestation of AG, we assessed the prevalence of less advanced precursors, regardless of the presence of more advanced lesions. Prevalence was sub-stratified by Helicobacter pylori infection, symptomatology, and period (<2000, 2000-2010, and >2010).

RESULTS

Among the 582 articles that underwent full-text review, 166 studies met inclusion criteria. The global prevalence estimates of AG, IM, and dysplasia were 25.4%, 16.2%, and 2.0%, respectively, on the basis of 126 studies that reported the prevalence of less advanced precursors, regardless of the presence of more advanced lesions. The prevalence of all precursor lesions was higher in high and medium compared with low GC incidence countries (P < .01). Prevalence of AG and IM was significantly higher among H pylori-infected individuals (P < .01) but not statistically different between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals (P > .17). All precursors demonstrated a secular decrease in prevalence over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastric precursor lesions have differences in prevalence in regions with differential GC incidence and are associated with H pylori infection. Because of the substantial prevalence of precursor lesions in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, symptomatic evaluation may not be sufficient to identify individuals at risk. These estimates provide important insights for tailoring GC prevention strategies.

Gastric intestinal metaplasia development in African American predominant United States population

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer significantly contributes to cancer mortality globally. Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is a stage in the Correa cascade and a premalignant lesion of gastric cancer. The natural history of GIM formation and progression over time is not fully understood. Currently, there are no clear guidelines on GIM surveillance or management in the United States.

AIM

To investigate factors associated with GIM development over time in African American-predominant study population.

METHODS

This is a retrospective longitudinal study in a single tertiary hospital in Washington DC. We retrieved upper esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs) with gastric biopsies from the pathology department database from January 2015 to December 2020. Patients included in the study had undergone two or more EGDs with gastric biopsy. Patients with no GIM at baseline were followed up until they developed GIM or until the last available EGD. Exclusion criteria consisted of patients age < 18, pregnancy, previous diagnosis of gastric cancer, and missing data including pathology results or endoscopy reports. The study population was divided into two groups based on GIM status. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was used to estimate the hazard induced by patient demographics, EGD findings, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) status on the GIM status.

RESULTS

Of 2375 patients who had at least 1 EGD with gastric biopsy, 579 patients were included in the study. 138 patients developed GIM during the study follow-up period of 1087 d on average, compared to 857 d in patients without GIM (P = 0.247). The average age of GIM group was 64 years compared to 56 years in the non-GIM group (P < 0.001). In the GIM group, adding one year to the age increases the risk for GIM formation by 4% (P < 0.001). Over time, African Americans, Hispanic, and other ethnicities/races had an increased risk of GIM compared to Caucasians with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.12 (1.16, 3.87), 2.79 (1.09, 7.13), and 3.19 (1.5, 6.76) respectively. No gender difference was observed between the study populations. Gastritis was associated with an increased risk for GIM development with an HR of 1.62 (1.07, 2.44). On the other hand, H. pylori infection did not increase the risk for GIM.

CONCLUSION

An increase in age and non-Caucasian race/ethnicity are associated with an increased risk of GIM formation. The effect of H. pylori on GIM is limited in low prevalence areas.

Ethnicity Is an Important Consideration in Screening for Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia

BACKGROUND

Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is a precursor to gastric adenocarcinoma, making it an attractive target for early detection by endoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and associated histologic findings of GIM among patients undergoing endoscopy in a diverse US population.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients undergoing elective endoscopy with gastric biopsies at 6 academic and community centers in Houston, Texas. GIM prevalence was estimated with a 95% confidence interval (CI), and patient demographic and clinical characteristics were summarized using mean with standard deviation, or frequency with percentage. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to compare characteristics between those with and without GIM.

RESULTS

Our final cohort consisted of 2685 patients, including 216 cases with GIM and 2469 controls. The prevalence of GIM in our cohort was 8.04% (95% CI 7.07%, 9.14%). The mean age of GIM cases was higher than in the control group (59.8 vs 54.7 years, p < 0.0001). The prevalence of GIM in Asians, Hispanic, Black and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) was 14.7%, 11.7%, 9.8% and 5.8%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, factors associated with GIM include age (adj. OR 1.32 per 10 year increase, p < 0.0001), habitual smoking (adj. OR 1.68, p < 0.0001), and race (compared to NHW: Asian, adj. OR 2.34, p = 0.010; Hispanic, adj. OR 2.15, p < 0.001; Black, adj. OR 1.61, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans have higher rates of GIM than NHW. Ethnicity should be an important consideration on determining who to screen for GIM in the US.

Dietary Factors and Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia Risk Among US Veterans

BACKGROUND

Studies on diet and gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) risk are lacking in US populations.

AIM

To determine the associations of dietary factors and risk of GIM among a US population with typical American diet.

METHODS

We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study of veterans attending primary care and endoscopy clinics at the Houston VA Medical Center. Patients completed a 110-item Block Food Frequency Questionnaire then underwent upper endoscopy with gastric mapping biopsies. We compared cases defined by GIM on ≥ 1 non-cardia gastric biopsy to controls without GIM. Associations of dietary factors and GIM were estimated using logistic regression models as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Among 423 GIM cases and 1796 controls, cases were older (62.1 vs. 59.9 years) and more likely to be male (97.2% vs. 90.8%) and non-White (58.6% vs. 39.0%). GIM cases had lower fat intake (percent kcal from fat tertile 1: 43.6% vs. 33.4%) and higher carbohydrate intake (percent kcal from carbohydrate T3: 41.8% vs. 33.3%) than controls. Adjusting for age, gender, race, smoking, and Helicobacter pylori, percent kcal from carbohydrates (T3 vs. T1: OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.08-1.67), fruit intake (T3 vs. T1: OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.02-1.61), and fiber intake (T3 vs. T1: OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.04-1.80) were associated with GIM. In subgroup analyses, these associations were primarily seen in non-White patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Few dietary factors, including high carbohydrate intake, are associated with increased risk of GIM in US populations, independent of H. pylori or smoking.

Gastro-duodenal disease in Africa: Literature review and clinical data from Accra, Ghana

Gastroduodenal disease (GDD) was initially thought to be uncommon in Africa. Amongst others, lack of access to optimal health infrastructure and suspicion of conventional medicine resulted in the reported prevalence of GDD being significantly lower than that in other areas of the world. Following the increasing availability of flexible upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy, it has now become apparent that GDD, especially peptic ulcer disease (PUD), is prevalent across the continent of Africa. Recognised risk factors for gastric cancer (GCA) include Helicobater pylori (H. pylori), diet, Epstein-Barr virus infection and industrial chemical exposure, while those for PUD are H. pylori, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-use, smoking and alcohol consumption. Of these, H. pylori is generally accepted to be causally related to the development of atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), PUD and distal GCA. Here, we perform a systematic review of the patterns of GDD across Africa obtained with endoscopy, and complement the analysis with new data obtained on pre-malignant gastric his-topathological lesions in Accra, Ghana which was compared with previous data from Maputo, Mozambique. As there is a general lack of structured cohort studies in Africa, we also considered endoscopy-based hospital or tertiary centre studies of symptomatic individuals. In Africa, there is considerable heterogeneity in the prevalence of PUD with no clear geographical patterns. Furthermore, there are differences in PUD within-country despite universally endemic H. pylori infection. PUD is not uncommon in Africa. Most of the African tertiary-centre studies had higher prevalence of PUD when compared with similar studies in western countries. An additional intriguing observation is a recent, ongoing decline in PUD in some African countries where H. pylori infection is still high. One possible reason for the high, sustained prevalence of PUD may be the significant use of NSAIDs in local or over-the-counter preparations. The prevalence of AG and IM, were similar or modestly higher over rates in western countries but lower than those seen in Asia. . In our new data, sampling of 136 patients in Accra detected evidence of pre-malignant lesions (AG and/or IM) in 20 individuals (14.7%). Likewise, the prevalence of pre-malignant lesions, in a sample of 109 patients from Maputo, were 8.3% AG and 8.3% IM. While H. pylori is endemic in Africa, the observed prevalence for GCA is rather low. However, cancer data is drawn from country cancer registries that are not comprehensive due to considerable variation in the availability of efficient local cancer reporting systems, diagnostic health facilities and expertise. Validation of cases and their source as well as specificity of outcome definitions are not explicit in most studies further contributing to uncertainty about the precise incidence rates of GCA on the continent. We conclude that evidence is still lacking to support (or not) the African enigma theory due to inconsistencies in the data that indicate a particularly low incidence of GDD in African countries.

Update on the Diagnosis and Management of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia in the USA

Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is a premalignant condition that can lead to intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma. It is characterized by a change in the gastric mucosa to a small-intestinal phenotype. Infection with Helicobacter pylori is the most common factor associated with GIM. Although GIM is typically a histologic diagnosis, various techniques have been developed to enable the endoscopic identification of GIM. There are presently no widely accepted guidelines on screening and surveillance strategies in patients with GIM in the USA. The aim of this review is to provide an update regarding the problem, diagnosis, and management of GIM in the USA.

Cost Effectiveness of Gastric Cancer Screening According to Race and Ethnicity

BACKGROUND & AIMS

There are marked racial and ethnic differences in non-cardia gastric cancer prevalence within the United States. Although gastric cancer screening is recommended in some regions of high prevalence, screening is not routinely performed in the United States. Our objective was to determine whether selected non-cardia gastric cancer screening for high-risk races and ethnicities within the United States is cost effective.

METHODS

We developed a decision analytic Markov model with the base case of a 50-year-old person of non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, or Asian race or ethnicity. The cost effectiveness of a no-screening strategy (current standard) for non-cardia gastric cancer was compared with that of 2 endoscopic screening modalities initiated at the time of screening colonoscopy for colorectal cancer: upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy examinations and continued surveillance only if intestinal metaplasia or more severe pathology is identified or esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy examinations continued every 2 years even in the absence of identified pathology. We used prevalence rates, transition probabilities, costs, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) from publications and public data sources. Outcome measures were reported in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, with a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/QALY.

RESULTS

Compared with biennial and no screening, screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy with continued surveillance only when indicated was cost effective for non-Hispanic blacks ($80,278/QALY), Hispanics ($76,070/QALY), and Asians ($71,451/QALY), but not for non-Hispanic whites ($122,428/QALY). The model was sensitive to intestinal metaplasia prevalence, transition rates from intestinal metaplasia to dysplasia to local and regional cancer, cost of endoscopy, and cost of resection (endoscopic or surgical).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on a decision analytic Markov model, endoscopic non-cardia gastric cancer screening for high-risk races and ethnicities could be cost effective in the United States.

Association between VEGF-634G>C Gene Polymorphism with Gastric Premalignant Lesions and Serum VEGF Levels in Helicobacter pylori Gastritis Patients

AIM:

To evaluate the association between VEGF-634G>C gene polymorphism with premalignant gastric lesions as well as the level of VEGF.

METHODS:

This cross-sectional study included patients with H. pylori gastritis at Haji Adam Malik General Hospital, Permata Bunda General Hospital, and Universitas Sumatera Utara Hospital, Medan, Indonesia. Detection of H. pylori infection was made using positive results of ¹⁴C-UBT, rapid urease test, and/or immunohistochemistry. Gastric premalignant lesion diagnosis was made when one or more of the following were present: chronic atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, or dysplasia. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to examine VEGF-634G>C gene polymorphism. Additionally, serum samples of patients with H. pylori gastritis were obtained to determine the level of circulating VEGF. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22.

RESULTS:

A total number of 87 patients with H. pylori gastritis were included in this study. Of all participants, 26 patients (29.9%) showed gastric premalignancy. There was a significant association between GG+GC genotype of VEGF-634G>C and gastric premalignant lesions (P = 0.003; OR (CI 95%) = 6.07 (1.88-41.71)). VEGF-634 G>C polymorphism also showed an association with VEGF serum levels (P = 0.005). Patients with the GG+GC genotype would be at risk of 3.16 times to have high VEGF levels compared to CC genotypes.

CONCLUSION:

VEGF-634G>C polymorphism, in particular, GG+GC genotype was associated with an increased risk of gastric premalignant transformation as well as having high VEGF levels in patients with H.pylori gastritis.

The Prevalence of Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia and Distribution of Helicobacter pylori Infection, Atrophy, Dysplasia, and Cancer in Its Subtypes

Objectives. Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) is frequently encountered and is considered a precursor of gastric adenocarcinoma. In the Van region of Turkey, gastric adenocarcinoma incidence is high but the prevalence of gastric IM is not known. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a main factor leading to atrophy, IM, and cancer development in the stomach. The aim of the current study was to investigate the prevalence of IM and its subtypes and the prevalence of H. pylori infection, atrophy, dysplasia, and cancer in gastric IM subtypes. Materials and Methods. This retrospective study was conducted on 560 IM among the 4050 consecutive patients who were undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with biopsy between June 2010 and October 2014. Clinical records and endoscopic and histopathologic reports of patients with IM were analyzed. Results. The prevalence of gastric IM was 13.8%. The prevalence of incomplete IM was statistically significantly higher than complete IM. Type III IM was the most frequent subtype. Conclusions. Gastric IM is a common finding in patients undergoing EGD with biopsy in this region. High prevalence of incomplete type IM, especially type III, can be associated with the high prevalence of gastric cancer in our region.

Review of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia as a premalignant lesion of gastric cancer

Atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) are the main precursor lesions of gastric cancer as the incidence of gastric cancer increases in the gastric mucosa involved with AG and IM. The prevalence of AG and IM vary depending on countries, even it represents diverse results in the same nation. Usually AG is antecedent of IM but the etiologies of AG and IM are not always the same. The sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic methods to detect AG and IM are different. Furthermore, the management strategy of AG and IM has not been established, yet. Helicobacter pylori infection has been proved as the most important cause of AG and IM. Thus the eradication of H. pylori is very important to prevent the progression to gastric cancer which is still placed in the high rank in morbidity and mortality among cancers. However, the reversibility of AG and IM by eradication of H. pylori which was assumed to be certain by meta-analysis is; however, controversial now. Therefore, the understanding and early diagnosis of AG and IM are very important, especially, in high incidence area of gastric cancer such as Republic of Korea.